Gilmore the lion facts for kids
Gilmore (1930–1950) was a famous lion who flew in airplanes with a brave aviator named Colonel Roscoe Turner. Gilmore helped promote the Gilmore Oil Company. After he got too big to fly, Gilmore still joined Turner for many public events over the next ten years.
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Gilmore's Early Life and Flying Adventures
Gilmore was born on February 7, 1930. He came from a place called Goebel's Wild Animal Farm. This farm was like a theme park and also provided animals for Hollywood movies. The Gilmore Oil Company sponsored Gilmore. They named him after their company, which had a red lion as its symbol and the slogan "Roar with Gilmore."
The company gave Colonel Turner money to buy Gilmore and a special plane. This plane was decorated to advertise Gilmore Oil. People from the Humane Society asked Turner to get Gilmore a parachute. This made the idea of a "flying lion" even more exciting!
Flying High with Colonel Turner
Gilmore flew a lot during a short eight-month period. He traveled over 25,000 miles in the air! He was even a passenger when Colonel Turner set new air speed records. When Gilmore wasn't flying, he made many public appearances. He would even surprise the mailman and other visitors by answering the door at Turner's home!
Life After Flying
Gilmore eventually grew too big for the airplane cockpit and his parachute. He weighed about 150 pounds! After that, he stayed at the airport in Burbank, California, which was then called the United Airport. He also spent some time at a Gilmore Oil service station in Beverly Hills until around 1940.
Gilmore's Later Years and Legacy
Gilmore spent his last ten years at the World Jungle Compound. Colonel Turner continued to pay for his food and visited him often. Gilmore passed away on December 17, 1950.
After Gilmore died, Colonel Turner had him mounted, which means Gilmore's body was preserved. Turner displayed Gilmore in his home. When Roscoe Turner passed away in 1970, both the plane Gilmore flew in and Gilmore's preserved remains were shown at the Turner Museum. After the museum closed in 1972, Turner's wife donated them to the Smithsonian Institution. They were first displayed at the Arts and Industries Building and later at the National Air and Space Museum until 1981.
